Chương 54: The Priest’s Judgment

Father Leandro went to the village inn to put up recruitment posters for the Divine Sect. Once he was finished, he stepped inside, sat at the counter and ordered a hot bowl of soup. Beside him, a fat man was laughing boisterously with two friends, surrounded by a few prostitutes. Father Leandro ate in silence for a few moments before turning toward them.

"Do you know that having sex without the intention of procreation is a mortal sin?" he asked calmly. The fat man looked at him, puzzled.

"Really, priest? Your God doesn't want us to have any fun?"

"He is your God as well", Leandro replied.

"And besides lust, you're also corrupting your body with another sin: gluttony". The fat man and his friends shot to their feet. The fat man grabbed Father Leandro by the collar.

"Are you calling me fat, priest?!"

"I'm merely pointing out reality, sinner". Blinded by rage, the man shoved him out of the inn. Rain poured down relentlessly. Father Leandro calmly got back to his feet and drew his sword.

"Oh, look", one of the men sneered.

"The priest has a sword". If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. He drew his own weapon and charged. Father Leandro dodged every strike with ease before breaking the man's arm, smashing his forehead into his face with a headbutt and finally slitting his throat with a single clean stroke. The second man hesitated no longer and lunged at him with a furious scream. Leandro evaded every blow, severed one of his legs, then drove his blade through his groin.

The man screamed in agony, desperately trying to crawl away. Father Leandro caught up to him and finished him off by driving his sword through his back. The fat man, trembling, grabbed his sword.

"You'll pay for this, bastard!" He attacked with heavy but sluggish swings. Father Leandro parried a few of them before slicing through his calf. Despite the pain, the man kept attacking. Leandro dodged, struck him across the nose with the hilt of his sword, shattered his wrist with a sharp blow, then smashed his forehead into the man's face with a brutal headbutt that sent him crashing to the ground.

Father Leandro climbed on top of him and began mercilessly beating him with the sword's hilt, crushing his nose and teeth. Then, with the blade, he carved into the man's face and and ripped it off, exposing the muscles beneath. He sheathed his sword. With his bare hands, he grabbed what remained of the man's face and tore it apart down the middle as though it were a sheet of paper. He walked away beneath the rain, leaving behind two corpses and one faceless man still alive.

Meanwhile, Teresa was sipping a glass of fine wine in her room, comfortably seated as she read a book. A knock at the door interrupted her.

"Come in". Declan entered.

"May I speak with you, Your Majesty?" Teresa nodded. Declan took a seat across from her.

"Thank you for your time".

"What is it you wish to discuss?"

"I'm sure you've heard about the mages' demands".

"Yes. They want more crowns and appointments as regional officials".

"Exactly. The King intends to grant their requests, but I believe that would be a dangerous decision. The people may rise up". Teresa took another sip of wine.

"And why are you telling me instead of your King?"

"I already have. But he wouldn't listen. I know very well that you, the Queen Mother, are the only one who can persuade him to change his mind. That is why I'm asking you to intervene".

"My son is the King", Teresa replied calmly.

"I have no authority over him". Declan rose to his feet and bowed.

"Don't sell yourself short. The King listens to no one else in the entire palace but you". Then he left. Teresa remained alone, slowly sipping her wine as she reflected on his words.